Saturday, 21 December 2013

On Sunday, December 15th, KFN held the annual Christmas Bird Count for the Kingston circle. My group had the section from Division St. over to Sydenham Rd., a pie-shaped area encompassing the Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area. We had snow and cold temperatures, so our lofty ambitions of trekking through the conservation area like we did last year got pared down to shorter walks in areas where we were most likely to find birds. We also drove around in the city within our section, 3 pairs of eyes on the lookout for anything with feathers. The noteable thing our carload couldn't find was white-breasted nuthatches, fortunately the other half of the team found both white breasted and red breasted. The count overall was down from the average, the cold weather sent a lot of birds south. Mark's report copied below contains some highlights from both the count and sightings for the past week.

The end of the day tally and dinner gathering was held at the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club, it is always fun to have a nice meal and social gathering after the count. Half the fun is sharing stories of our adventures getting out and about during the day and bragging on what we found, or lamenting about what we didn't find.

Birding at the moment is challenging, the ice storm that has us in its grip certainly does not entice one to venture forth. Feeders should be attracting local birds, as soon as I knocked the ice off and spread seeds upon the ground juncoes, tree sparrows, doves, chickadees, bluejays and goldfinches came swarming in to fill their bellies. There has been a flock of about 100 cedar waxwings cruising the neighbourhood these past couple of days, I see chewed bits of crabapple under my tree in the backyard and wonder if they had been picking at the little apples this morning. I would love to see where these birds spent the night when everything is covered in ice, there must be some sheltered places in the thickets of cedars where they can roost comfortably. The weather predictions for the next 36 hours are dire, we could be faced with a heavy layer of ice. May everyone stay warm and safe this holiday season!

A note summarising the preliminary findings of the 66th Kingston ChristmasCount was posted earlier in the week but highlights included 2 CACKLINGGEESE, 2 BARROW'S GOLDENEYE, a GYRFALCON and 6 species of owls, including avery respectable 22 SNOWY OWLS and 16 SHORT-EARED OWLS. Please read myearlier post (written by co-ordinator Ron Weir) for a more detailed summary.The immature dark phase SNOW GOOSE was again seen in Cataraqui Bay, Kingstonover the weekend and two SNOWY OWLS continue at Landings GolfCourse/Kingston Airport as of today. A WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW attracted asteady stream of winter listers during the week at a private residence justeast of Kingston, a SWAMP SPARROW was seen at Little Cataraqui Creek CA on15th and a BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD returns with some regularity to a feederjust north of the city.

Amherst Island

Not too many observers made it across to the island this week but sightingsincluded GREAT-HORNED, SNOWY and SHORT-EARED OWLS, up to 4 ROUGH-LEGGEDHAWKS, SNOW BUNTINGS, NORTHERN HARRIER, NORTHERN SHRIKE, a single RUSTYBLACKBIRD and 5 RED-WINGD BLACKBIRD.

Napanee/Hay Bay/Belleville

The ROSS'S GOOSE reported last Friday just west of the Lennox GeneratingStation was seen again on Saturday 14th. Whether it continues is unclear.

Howe Island

The TUFTED TITMOUSE continues to be seen on Howe Island, where BALD EAGLEShave also become quite reliable. The RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER also remains.

Other Sightings

TRUMPETER SWANS have been seen in small numbers along the Rideau waterwayfrom Brewer's Mills to Chaffey's Locks. A YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER continues atHeritage Park, Bath, as does the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at Gananoque GolfClub. Gull watchers have enjoyed ICELAND and GLAUCOUS GULLS at bothLansdowne Dump (near Gananoque) and Violet Dump (south of Odessa). SixEastern Bluebirds and 2 YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS were seen near Elgin, northof Kingston on Hwy 15 on 18th during the Delta CBC.

Saturday, 7 December 2013

Computer problems caused me to miss a week on the bird reports. Can't miss out on this week, got some good sightings to report! A thick billed murre took top billing, drawing birders from across Ontario and even up from the United States to get a look at it. A good selection to get us all psyched up for the Kingston Christmas Bird Count taking place on December 15th. Here is Mark's report:

Undeniably Kingston-centric, the highlight of the week was, without doubt, aTHICK-BILLED MURRE that showed up mid-afternoon on 3rd and remained in placein Kingston's downtown throughout the 4th, allowing birders from far andwide ridiculously close-up viewing. A RED-THROATED LOON was also locatednearby, at the entrance to the Inner Harbour on 4th and remains to date. ACAROLINA WREN has been less reliable during the week putting in sporadicappearances near Fort Henry. At least three observers caught up with a lateBALTIMORE ORIOLE on 3rd at the Invista plant where NORTHERN SHRIKES havebecome regular. Other late birds include 22 RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS on 2nd atCataraqui Bay and widespread but decreasing numbers of DOUBLE-CRESTEDCORMORANT, BELTED KINGFISHER and GREAT BLUE HERON. Reports of interestinggeese have dropped off, though an immature dark-phase LESSER SNOW GOOSE wasan interesting local find at Lake Ontario Park early in the week. BothLESSER BLACK-BACKED and GLAUCOUS GULLS have been reported within the citylimits this week.

Amherst Island

Please note that the Owl Woods remain closed (for the hunt) until 9thDecember. Up to 3 Snowy Owls have taken up residence on the island and theoccasional SHORT-EARED OWL has been reported. Three SWAMP SPARROWS, as wellas 3 SONG SPARROWS were observed on 6th by the Fishing Village and theregular cast of NORTHERN HARRIER, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, NORTHERN SHRIKE andSNOW BUNTING seen quite widespread.

Napanee/Hay Bay/Belleville

Now outside our reporting area, the AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN was relocated atBelleville on 2nd but not seen subsequently. However, it was reported on theTrent River at Frankford on 6th.

Howe Island

The TUFTED TITMOUSE continues to entertain, or frustrate, birders poppingover to the island. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER is also regular at the samefeeding station.

Other Sightings

Six TRUMPETER SWANS were seen back at Chaffey's Locks on 4th and may remainnow that the lake is beginning to thaw. YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS continue atHeritage Park, Bath. An ICELAND GULL has taken up residence at LansdowneDump near Gananoque and the RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at Gananoque Golf Clubcontinues.

Thanks to all those who submitted sightings over the last week and sorry forthe slight delay in reporting the news.

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

It's looking like winter has arrived, with a skiff of snow on the ground. "Winter storm watch in effect", words to send a chill down the spine. 'Tis the season to fill up the bird feeders, my own sunflower seed feeder shows the level of seed steadily declining as the chickadees and goldfinches are hitting it hard before the storm. This first blast of winter may bring in some migrants from the north.

As well as GREATER SCAUP in Cataraqui Bay and LESSER SCAUP in the InnerHarbour, numbers of REDHEAD, in particular, and RING-NECKED DUCK have alsoincreased. A RED-NECKED GREBE was also found in the Inner Harbour after thestorms of last weekend. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS continue to linger atMarshlands Conservation Area and a PEREGRINE has been seen regularly in thecity.

Wolfe Island

Two SANDHILL CRANES were reported by at least two observers throughout theweek and wildfowl numbers remain good.

Amherst Island

As last week, TUNDRA SWANS, NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER andSNOW BUNTING were all reported. A PECTORAL SANDPIPER on 16th must have beenwondering where all its buddies had gone. A couple of ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKShave also been seen on several dates. Please note the Owl Woods are closeduntil 9th December during the hunt.

Napanee/Hay Bay

The highlight of the week for many was an AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN that hasbeen associating with a flock of 40 or so MUTE SWANS just west of Napanee.Apparently present for some time, this bird has proved popular withOntbirders. In nearby Hay Bay, an impressive 1000+ TUNDRA SWANS were seenmid-week, with CANVASBACK, and RED-NECKED GREBE also present earlier in theweek. Nearby, at the intersection of Highways 8 and 9, ROSS'S GOOSE, 6 SNOWGEESE and a single BRANT were present on 20th-21st at least, in with theregular CANADA GEESE.

Other Sightings

An 'OREGAN' form of DARK-EYED JUNCO was photographed near Camden East on19th and 8 TRUMPETER SWANS were seen flying over Sydenham Lake last weekend.The long-staying RED-HEADED WOODPECKER at Gananoque Golf Club was seen onseveral days during the week with a supporting cast of CAROLINA WREN andEASTERN SCREECH-OWL on 19th and 20th. Three AMERICAN WOODCOCK, though notparticularly late, were a nice surprise for one observer on Florida Road,north of Kingston.

Saturday, 16 November 2013

Mark Read has taken over the weekly bird reports from Mark Conboy, who is currently on his way to a new career in Alberta. Mark C., we wish you safe travels and good adventures out west! The weekly bird report summaries are submitted to ont.birds, for those who don't subscribe and for those who wish to review reports, we will also post them here.

The arrival of TUNDRA SWANS was noted by many appreciative observers toCataraqui Bay this week, which also hosts almost 1000 GREATER SCAUP. TheInner Harbour, in comparison, continues to hold good numbers of LESSERSCAUP.

Wolfe Island

Wildfowl numbers continue to build with 2000 REDHEAD and 1000 GREATER SCAUPat Button Bay, as well as an impressive 260 GREEN-WINGED TEAL earlier in theweek. A SNOW GOOSE was seen amongst CANADA GEESE on 13th and TUNDRA SWANScontinue in Button Bay.

Amherst Island

A quiet week but TUNDRA SWANS and NORTHERN HARRIER, RED-BELLIED WOODPECKERand PURPLE FINCH were all reported.

Prince Edward PointA TURKEY VULTURE on the 9th was the only raptor of note. Wildfowl numbersfluctuate but the 8000 LONG-TAILED DUCKS also seen on the 9th far out-numberthe WHITE-WINGED and SURF SCOTERS along the South Shore. A single RED-NECKEDGREBE was picked out amongst 50 HORNED GREBES at Traverse Woods on the 9th.On the same day, 9 EASTERN BLUEBIRDS and a NORTHERN SHRIKE were seen nearthe banding station. BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER and DUNLIN were reported on the12th, along with lingering RED-WINGED and RUSTY BLACKBIRDS.

Other Sightings

A GOLDEN EAGLE was seen flying over one lucky observer's backyard, north ofNapanee, on 13th, with the season's first BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS being seen thereand in Bath on 11th. A late YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER was photographed nearCamden East on 8th, but didn't quite make last week's report in time. Afterthe Snow and Cackling Geese of last week's report, a single white-phaseROSS'S GOOSE was seen at the same location east of Lennox Generating Stationon 12th. As well as the nine birds at Prince Edward Point, a single EASTERNBLUEBIRD was seen on Florida Road, Odessa, on the 9th. To round off thisweek's report 8 TRUMPETER SWANS were present at Charleston Lake ProvincialPark on 12th.

Forest Stream

Springtime in the Sanctuary

Welcome to the KFN Blog!

Welcome to the blog for The Kingston Field Naturalists. This is where we will share KFN news, reports of recent events, items of natural history interest, upcoming KFN events, recent natural history sightings, and other similar items of interest. The KFN home webpage can be found at: http://www.kingstonfieldnaturalists.org/ . Contact us or share your sightings at kfnblog@gmail.com .

About Me

The Kingston Field Naturalists, founded in 1949, is an active, local club of over 300 members interested in a wide variety of natural history topics. The objectives of the Club are: 1. to acquire, record and disseminate knowledge of natural history; 2. to stimulate public interest in nature and in the protection and preservation of wildlife and natural habitats; and 3. to acquire, receive and hold lands for the purpose of preserving their natural flora and fauna, and to encourage and assist others to do likewise.